BAGUIO CITY: Top boxing trainer Freddie Roach has predicted a tough fight for Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao against Miguel Cotto and said he intends to make the trainings of his prized student here closed door during the next days. New sparmate Shawn Porter and long-time sparring partner Urbano Antillon are expected to arrive in the country within the week to prepare Pacquiao for his fight against Cotto, the World Boxing Organization champion.

Roach initially had opposed training the world’s pound-for-pound king in Baguio fearing distractions will hamper his concentration the way it did when Pacquiao trained in General Santos City and Cebu City.

But Pacquiao eventually persuaded the three-time Hall of Fame trainer to come to Baguio. The Filipino boxing icon also liked the way Baguio’s elevation is challenging his body.

“My fight is not just for me and my family but also for the Filipino people, for the pride of our country,” Pacquiao told reporters in Filipino after working out.

Before the end of October, Team Pacquiao will proceed to the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles for the final phase of his training.

Pacquiao said that his fight with Cotto is a very important for him since a win will make him the first fighter in boxing history to win titles in seven divisions.

On Thursday, Pacquiao took the opportunity to make a courtesy call to Mayor Reinaldo Bautista of Baguio City.

Pacquiao was mobbed by Baguio City Hall employees and the city’s residents who waited for him at the lobby.
Thom F. Picaña